by Lucy Langton
Ada quickly opened her bedchamber door, a bonnet already on her head to shield her eyes from the afternoon sun. “I’m all ready,” Ada said with a happy smile.
“Punctual as ever, Miss Ada. Come along then,” Dowager Statham said with a pleased smile before turning and heading down the hallway. With her purse and parasol in hand, she followed after the two widows as they descended the stairs, their chins held up high. At the foyer, they were giving their gloves and walking shoes while their lady’s maids assisted them. Though a companion, Ada hadn’t been given a maid of her own and instead did her best to take care of herself and appear as her employer would have her be.
Once outside, they all stepped up into the waiting carriage. The two women sat together while Ada sat across from them, focusing her attention on the views outside the carriage window. She knew her place within this trio and would remain silent until asked to speak up or give her opinion.
“Oh, Bertie. Whatever am I to do about the boy? He’s certainly crossed the line this time,” Dowager Statham complained as the carriage began to roll down the cobblestones of Town.
“What is there to do at this point?” Dowager White replied. “The whole point of paying his commission so he could join the militia as a lord was to help him become a gentleman.”
“This last month has proven to me that the militia did nothing for him but allow him to become even wilder. He doesn’t allow his valet to tend to him, and every day he comes down from his bedchamber past noon and looks rather unkempt.”
Ada thought about the few times she had witnessed Lord Statham since his return from abroad. First, he spent many days in his bedchamber as he recovered from the seasickness. Then, he didn’t wake till later in the day, only to spend his nights out of the townhouse when his mother tried hard to get him to attend her many social functions.
What little Ada had seen of the Earl was that he was muscular, compared to the soft looks of most gentlemen. And he also had the most mesmerizing blue eyes. He was the type of wild explorer Ada had often fantasised about when she thought of her perfect husband.
More than anything, Ada wanted to marry and live a happy life with someone she could fall in love with. She wanted to start a family and have as many children as she could. Then, she and her husband would be doting parents, and he would entertain their children with his stories of adventure of when he was a youth. Ada smiled at the thought as she half-listened to the widows complain to one another.
“If only his father hadn’t passed away so early in life. He lacks male guidance, despite the best masters of the arts that I could afford for him. He’s always had this wild streak in him that even war didn’t seem to tame,” Dowager Statham rambled.
“My dear, I’m afraid it has only made it worse. At least back then, he didn’t succumb to so much strong drink,” Dowager White said, opening her wooden fan and airing herself. Any time Dowager White became flustered, she would become very hot. Ada reached into her purse and withdrew the small bottle of peppermint oil she kept for the woman. She handed it to Dowager White, who used a few drops on her wrists and neck. Handing it back, she thanked her readily.
“I am quite at a loss of what should be done about Flynt. I can’t simply allow him to ruin himself. Ada, my dear. What do you think?”
Ada turned her eyes towards her employer, surprised by the question. She opened her mouth to speak, but the image of Lord Statham rising in her mind’s eye only caused her to blush and become quite tongue-tied.
“Forgive me, Dowager Statham. I couldn’t possibly have an appropriate answer. I am neither a wife nor a mother,” Ada eventually mustered to say.
“But surely you have noticed his unrealistic behaviour this past month and have formed some sort of opinion of him,” Dowager Statham pressed.
“Only that he is a troubled soul, ma’am. He seems to have many issues that he tries to drown with strong drink,” Ada said, trying to be honest. It was rarely that the two asked her opinion, and often Ada was simply around to support them in whatever outing they had chosen. But for the most part, Ada was neither addressed nor noticed. Compared to how she had been raised, it was a far cry from normalcy. But, considering everything, she found that she enjoyed her life with the two widows.
Ada raised her eyes from her hands to notice that Dowager White was observing her closely. At first, Ada simply smiled at her to hopefully off-put the tension in the carriage. But the more they looked at one another, the more Ada started to worry that Dowager White was somehow uncomfortable all of a sudden.
“Lavinia, darling. Why don’t you encourage Flynt to marry? If he was properly married, he could take his inheritance and settle down with a nice girl. I’m sure a bit of romance would be what the young man needs. He just needs an outlet for all his wildness,” Dowager White said with a bright smile, turning to look at her sister.
“Come now; we’ve already tried that, remember? Before we made the decision about the militia, I would take him to every ball and dinner party I could receive an invitation to.
“And now? After the way he’s been acting. I hardly doubt that any woman would accept a bloke like him,” Dowager Statham said with a deep sigh.
“The Season has just begun, Lavinia. There is still hope for him. The only chore will be to convince him to start attending social functions so he can meet a nice young lady that can steer him in the right direction,” Dowager White offered.
“Oh, I just don’t know anymore,” Dowager Statham said as she looked out the window, seeming to be hopeless.
Once the carriage came to a stop, Dowager Statham stepped down from the carriage first because her husband had been an earl, Dowager White’s a viscount. Ada brought up the rear as they stepped across the pavement towards Dowager Statham’s favourite hat shop. The rest of the afternoon was spent looking over the newest hats and ribbons that could be used to improve upon the designs.
Shopping had been one of Dowager Statham’s favourite pastimes when she was not feeling well or perhaps stressed over her son. Since his return, she had frequented the establishment at least once a week. Sometimes they would even venture down the road to the seamstress to take a look at the latest fabrics and learn what the young ladies were wearing to balls that Season. These were all things to distract Dowager Statham from the troubles that remained at home. Ada was a faithful lady’s companion and always made sure the widows enjoyed themselves and remained within their own budgets.
When they had finished with their purchases, the ladies climbed back into the waiting carriage, talking excitedly about the things they had seen and the beautiful ribbons that would flatter their gowns for this social gathering or that.
For being widows, Dowager Statham and Dowager White were rather social figures in their society. Therefore, they liked always to be made aware of the latest fashions so they could fit into modern times even though they were older in life.
“Miss Ada, what wonderful company you do keep,” Dowager Statham said, a smile coming to her lips as they travelled back to the townhouse. “I look forward to the concert tomorrow evening to see the tenor singer you admire so much.”
“I am sure you’ll be the beau of the audience with the wonderful ribbons you have purchased today,” Ada replied with a matching smile. It did her good to see her employer in a happier mood. And at the mention of the concert that the widows had surprised her with, she couldn’t help feeling excited about attending. Her employer had always been very benevolent, and therefore she couldn’t complain about her current situation.
Upon returning to the townhouse, the widow’s lady’s maids came to take their purchases up to their rooms. Ada made her way into the drawing room, planning to treat the sisters to a small performance of her own.
She dearly loved to sing and was convinced that was why Dowager Statham had hired her originally. As Ada thought about coming to live with the two sisters three years ago, she knew in her heart that she should be grateful for every moment compared to what she had been force
d to live in the past.
Chapter 3
Flynt had just rounded the townhouse, having slipped in through the servant’s gate and was passing through the gardens when he heard a familiar singing voice on the air. He stopped just outside the open doors to the drawing room, hiding behind the wall so no one inside could see him. And it was there that he stood and listened to Miss Ada’s sweet singing voice.
Upon returning home, Flynt had been surprised to make her acquaintance and to learn that his mother had hired a lady’s companion. He reasoned it was a good decision so his mother was never lonely, even with the constant attention of her sister and his aunt. What had surprised Flynt the most about Miss Ada was that she had a beautiful singing voice even though she would not sing if he was in the room, nor look up to meet his eyes.
Overall, Miss Ada was like many lady’s companions he’d met in the past. Shy, timid, and never one for conversation. They existed only to serve their employer and no one else. However, Flynt had to admit that he was drawn to Miss Ada’s singing voice. He’d always hide and conceal himself from her view, but he found her melodies often soothing to his chaotic soul.
When the song had come to an end, Flynt waited a few moments longer before turning away from the side of the house and walking in correctly. He smiled at his mother and aunt, and made sure to dip his head towards Miss Ada, even though she quickly pulled the cover down over the piano keys and drew her eyes to the floor.
“And what nonsense has my son been up to this day?” Dowager Statham asked as the smile on her face dropped at the sight of him.
“I’ll have you know that I dressed myself, forged my own breakfast, and took a walk through the park to clear my head. All reasonable things,” Flynt said in his defence as he took to the winged-back chair next to his mother and aunt as they sat on the settee together.
Miss Ada rose from the pianoforte and positioned herself farther away from them as though to give them privacy. She picked up a novel and appeared to be reading it, her long brown hair sweeping over her face as though to conceal her. Flynt had to admit that though Miss Ada was quiet, she was very attractive. Her gown showed hints of her supple body to the point that Flynt had to pull his eyes off her to focus on what his mother was saying.
“Tonight, the Chanters and Barnetts will be joining us for dinner. They will be joined by their children, of course. Mr Chanter, Miss Chanter, Mr Barnett, and the two Miss Barnetts,” Dowager Statham explained.
“Mother, if this is some scheme to introduce me to eligible young ladies …”
Flynt was cut off by his mother as she raised her hand to stop him, then explained, “This dinner is not for your benefit but for Miss Ada’s. She is the eligible young lady that deserves a chance at marriage as much as you do, Flynt. She is of good breeding and deserves more in life than just to be a lady’s companion.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Flynt asked, not knowing much of Miss Ada besides that his mother enjoyed her company and that she was a beautiful singer.
“Miss Ada?” Dowager Statham said, raising her voice to draw the young girl’s attention. She lifted her head quickly and shut the book, setting it aside as she came to her employer without hesitation. “Would you please explain to Lord Statham your upbringing?”
“Certainly,” Miss Ada stammered as she folded her arms in front of her and looked Flynt directly in the eyes. Her blue eyes captivated him, and he couldn’t help maintaining eye contact with her as well.
“My father was Lord Taylor, Earl of Huntington. He and my mother passed away from a dreadful cold that seemed to take them in a matter of days,” Miss Ada explained. Flynt frowned because he had known Lord Taylor but had not known the man had died. It was a sign that he had become quite engrossed in his life to realize much of what was going on around him.
“I didn’t know that Lord Taylor had a daughter,” Flynt admitted.
“And a son,” Miss Ada stated. “My brother died of alcohol poisoning about a year later, falling sick to the grief of it all. It was then, without any guardianship, that I set out to become a lady’s companion.”
Flynt’s heart hurt at the story the young woman told. He’d seen plenty of death in his years with the militia. And though he’d been rather close to a few men that had lost their lives, death of a loved one always had a lingering effect on one’s mind.
“And as a daughter of an earl, it is only right that Miss Ada have her chance at suitors. Though we won’t be debuting Miss Ada into the Season, I still want to give her every opportunity possible,” Dowager Statham said as she gestured to Miss Ada, who then sat in the chair on the other side of the settee.
“You’ve always been rather generous, Mother. I’m sure Miss Ada will benefit from your guidance in life,” Flynt said, giving Miss Ada a small smile.
“She would also benefit from your good praise of her at this dinner party, my boy. You be sure to mention to Lord Chanter and Lord Barnett that Miss Ada is a sensational young lady that any man would be happy to marry,” Dowager Statham pressed, giving Flynt a hard look as she narrowed her eyes at him.
“I can at least say from an honest opinion that Miss Ada has good character and a lovely singing voice,” Flynt admitted, looking at Miss Ada as she lowered her eyes. A deep blush came to her cheeks, a reaction he had teased out of many young ladies that he had tried to pursue in the past. But Flynt wouldn’t dare try to pursue one of his mother’s employees. It would certainly be scandalous, even though he was often very rebellious in nature.
“Well, there is certainly more a man looks for in a wife,” Dowager Statham chastised.
“What would you consider good characteristics for a wife?” Dowager White spoke up then, setting her needlepoint aside as she focused her eyes on Flynt.
“I don’t think I’m the best one to ask that question, Auntie. Marriage is not a topic of discussion that I often enter into, nor do I have any urges to become married myself,” Flynt admitted. “I feel we have discussed this before many years ago.”
“The world changes, Flynt, and sometimes we have to change with it. I only assumed you had considered the topic more while you were away from England,” Dowager White said as she pushed down the folds of her gown.
“I assure you, Auntie, I have not,” he said with a chuckle. “But I suppose there are some general ideas that men have of women when considering the ideals of choosing a wife. For example, she has to be attractive.”
“Oh, come now. Looks are not everything, Flynt,” Dowager Statham spoke up then, scoffing.
“No, but it certainly helps,” Flynt said with a chuckle. He looked to see Miss Ada smiling even though she didn’t raise her eyes to him. “I know that most marriages are of convenience these days, but producing heirs is certainly easier when you can look at your spouse without your stomach turning over.”
“Enough of such talk,” Dowager Statham demanded. “A young lady should be composed, faithful, and sophisticated. She should be able to maintain her social situation in society and honour her husband at every instance.”
“Is that the type of wife you were?” Flynt asked, focusing on his mother once more.
“I was a very dutiful wife, yes,” Dowager Statham said with a sigh. “And what I wouldn’t give to see your father walk through those sitting room doors once more. I would surely give him a good tongue lashing for him keeping me waiting for so long.” Dowager White chuckled at the comment while Flynt barely mustered a smile. Since the death of his father, he hadn’t really come to terms with the fact that he’d never create a memory of the man his mother often talked about.
Flynt moved his eyes to Miss Ada again and noticed that she had been observing him. She quickly looked away as if becoming transfixed with the view of the garden outside the windowpanes. He smirked, thinking he had almost caught her looking at him.
“Would you care for a turn around the gardens?” Flynt offered as he addressed Miss Ada. She looked back at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “It might help to soothe y
our nerves if you are worried about this evening?”
“It isn’t necessary, Lord Statham. I’m quite content with the idea of a dinner party. But thank you for the offer,” Miss Ada replied, a forced smile on her lips as her cheeks continued to burn red.